Controlling waste efficiently can save cash and lift sales

Garden centres and growers can save thousands of pounds by segregating waste, says the HTA, following a new South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) waste study.

The HTA figures emerged after the SEEDA-funded waste management pilot
project report was publicised last week. The report identified the main
types of waste generated and outlined ways for reducing, reusing and
recycling.

Recent HTA studies showed gaining BS and ISO accreditations cost around
£2,100 but savings of around £10,000 could be made on areas
such as reducing landfill. And boasting environmental credentials could
lead to sales increases of around £22,000.

"They can open opportunities for new market sectors for big suppliers
and councils with high environmental standards."

WYG Environment Planning Transport carried out the report. Andrew
Colquhoun, chairman of SEEDA's Horticulture Working Group, said
businesses had to act now.

"They must manage different waste streams as landfill capacity is
expected to run out by 2014 in the South East and landfill tax has
increased," he said. "Segregation, segregation, segregation should be
the mantra for horticultural businesses. Staff must be properly trained
to recognise and sort waste to cut the amount going to landfill and save
money. However, there are still hurdles to overcome, such as distances
to the nearest specialist waste contractor."

The report suggested smaller businesses could pool waste for collection
or share kit like balers for polythene waste. Growers could also ask
suppliers to reduce packaging. Six nursery businesses and two garden
centres in south-east England were studied.

The "general waste" stream, where recoverable or recyclable waste often
ended up, made up the greatest proportion of waste generated on the
sites studied. Much of this was likely to end up as landfill.

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